Grate-bar.



G. S. SBRGEANT.

GRATE BAR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, 1912.

INVENTOR 650m" 5. Jmmi/vr ATTORNEYS G. S. SERGEANT.

GRATE BAR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, 1912.

1,081,780. Patented Dec. 16, 1913.

2 8HEBTBSHEET 2.

WITNESSES INVENTOR J W 60fi6 6. (fiffiam/vr B vll/m ATTORNEYS COLUMPIA PLANOGRAPII CO.,WASHINOTDN D C sections B.

GEORGE S. SERGEANT, OF GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA.

GRATIS-BAR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 16, 19313.

Application filed April 30, 1912. Serial No. 694,053.

T 0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Gnonon S. Sarcasm, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Greensboro, in the county of Guilford and State of North Carolina, have made certain new and useful Improvements in Grate- Bars, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improvement in grate bars and particularly in grate bars made in sections held together end to end, and the present invention relates to means for supporting the sectional grate bar at the middle portion thereof and consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a side view, Fig. 2 a bottom plan view, Fig. 3 a vertical longitudinal section of a grate bar embodying my invention, Fig. lis a detail perspective view, showing two sections of a grate bar in connection with a strut and truss rod embodying my invention, Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the struts, and Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the end sections of the grate bar.

In carrying out the invention the grate bar includes end sections A and intermediate Of these intermediate sections any number may be employed. I have shown three intermediate sections in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 while in Fig. at I have shown only two intermediate sections and the invention may be carried out with two intermediate sections or a greater number as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

The end sections A are provided on their inner sides near their lower ends with upwardly facing shoulders at A forming seats for the adjacent intermediate sections and these end sections are also provided at their inner ends with upwardly inclined studs A which enter upwardly inclined openings B in the meeting section B, and operate to interlock the sections A and B as best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

The end sections A are also provided at their inner ends with end plates A", having openings at A through which the truss rod C passes at its ends, such ends of the truss rods being threaded and nuts G and C being provided on opposite sides of the end plate A in securing a firm connection between the end sections and the truss rod as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawin Between the meeting ends of the intermediate section B I fit the upper ends of struts D. These struts D one of which is shown in detail in Fig 5, are provided with upwardly facing shoulders D which underlie the adjacent intermediate sections B, and above these shoulders the strut has a plate or portion D which fits between the ends of the adjacent sections B and this plate D is provided on its opposite sides with upwardly inclined studs D which enter openings B in the ends of the sections B and interlock the sections as best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. These plates D it will be noticed slope downwardly and outwardly on their opposite edges at D" so that they afford a free passage for ashes thus preventing any clogging at the ends of the sections B and at the same time this formation or sloping of the edges of the plate D affords ample draft space so that the desired quantity of air is admitted to the firebox between the ends of the grate bar.

The strut D extends at D" below the shoulders D and is provided near its lower end with an opening I) through which the truss rod C passes, thus securing engagement; between the truss rod and the strut so that the rod when properly applied operates to sustain the strut or struts and thus cooperate with the strut or struts in sustaining the grate sections at the joints thereof.

By forming the grates in sections it will be understood that I may be able to make up grate bars of any desired length. In practice I shall make the intermediate sections in lengths of ten inches and fifteen inches, while the ends are made in lengths of six, seven and eight inches, and the bar is made in widths of five and six inches so that by combining sections of the desired lengths I can make up grate bars to fit practically every size fire-box and these can be supplied from a very limited stock, and bars can read- 11y be repaired by replacing sections injured by the fires without the loss of the entire bar.

The connections or interlocking construction between the sections and the truss rod and struts tend to secure a grate bar greatly reduced in weight and cost while at the same time the strength of the bar is greatly increased and all sagging at the center is effectually prevented. The use of the truss rod as shown and described permits me to employ the longest grate bars ever required without increasing the weight per linear inch, thus making the cost per linear inch no greater for long bars than for shorter lengths. The truss construction also avoids the necessity of using a cross meeting bar or an under bearing bar in the center of the furnace when long bars are used and it permits the use of cast iron for grate surfaces, the truss furnishing the strength against sagging, desirable in a grate bar so formed.

It will also be noticed that by the special construction and arrangement of the strut between the ends of the intermediate sec tions, all obstructions to the vent at such points is obviated leaving the draft at these points as open and free as at the remainder of the grate surface.

The supporting device being entirely beneath and independent of the grate bars proper, any style of grate surface and of vent can be employed to suit the various kinds of fuel which it may be desired to use.

An important feature of my invention is the dependence wholly upon the truss for the upward support of the intermediate grate bar sections. It will be noticed that the struts support the intermediate grate war sections directly and that no intermediate devices are required. The said sections may, therefore, be made lighter than could otherwise be the case and by interlocking the intermediate sections with each other, they are held firmly in place against accidental displacement when in use as well as from dropping out of place, should the grate bar be turned upside down in transportation.

I claim 1. The improvement in grate bars herein described comprising end sections, intermediate sections between the end sections, the end sections being interlocked at their inner ends with the adjacent ends of the intermediate sections, a strut between the adjacent ends of the intermediate sections and having upwardly inclined studs interlocking with the intermediate sections and provided below the said sections with supporting shoulders therefor and also having a portion projecting below said shoulders, and a truss rod engaged between its ends with the strut and having its ends connected with the end sections of the bar, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A grate bar composed of a plurality of intermediate sections and end sections interlocked at their inner ends with the outer ends of the intermediate sections adjacent thereto, a strut having shoulders underlying the meeting ends of the intermediate sections and provided above said shoulders with a portion lying between and interlocked with the adjacent ends of said intermediate sections, the strut also projecting below said shoulders, and a truss rod connected at its ends with the end sections and engaging between its ends with the downwardly projecting portion of the strut whereby to support the intermediate sections by a trussing action, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination in a grate bar with intermediate sections, of a supporting strut therefor shouldered to directly support the sections and having a portion fitting between the sections and sloping outwardly on its edges from its upper to its lower end, and means below and engaging with said strut for supporting the sections thereby, substantially as set forth.

4:. The combination in a grate bar with intermediate sections spaced apart at their ends and having said ends provided with upwardly inclined openings, and a strut having a portion fitting between such ends of the sections and provided with upwardly inclined studs fitting the openings therein, substantially as set forth.

The combination in a grate bar of end sections and intermediate sections interlocked at their meeting ends, a truss extending below the joint between the said intermediate sections and carried by the end sections, and a strut engaging directly with said intermediate sections at the joint thereof and supported from the truss, substantially as set forth.

GEORGE S. SERGEANT.

Witnesses:

J. D. SCHOOLFIELD, R. N. MIDDLETON,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

